Memories of My Melancholy:

Memories of My Melancholy Whores is Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s first work of fiction in 10 years, and it fully lives up to the expectations of his critics, readers, and fans of all ages and nationalities. Memories... introduces us to a totally new genre of Garcia Marquez’s writing. It is a fairy tale for the aged — a story that celebrates the belated discovery of amorous passion in old age. This enticingly sensual, yet at the same time innocent adventure tells of an unnamed second-rate reporter who on the eve of his ninetieth birthday decides to give himself ‘a night of mad love with a virgin adolescent’. In a little more than 100 pages, Garcia Marquez proceeds to describe a series of encounters that is hypnotising and disturbing. When he first sees the chosen girl — a shy 14-year-old, whom he calls Delgadina — asleep, entirely naked, in the brothel room, his life begins to change completely. He never speaks to her nor does he learn anything about her, nor she of him. But, her presence spurs the aged pensioner to recall his experiences with the other women in his life, all whores by profession, all paid to perform for him the acts of love. Memories... written in Garcia Marquez’s incomparable style, movingly contemplates the misfortunes of old age, and celebrates the joys of being in love.